But McPhee acknowledged that the raises, which were partially funded by state dollars, had been a long time coming, and suggested low pay was still a concern.

"I remain deeply concerned about the university budget, the challenges that we have, particularly among the growing disparity in our faculty and staff salaries in relation to our peer institutions," McPhee said.

"We want to attract the best; we want to retain the best," he added. “We don’t want other institutions to come and steal you away because they’re offering decent salary wages for you."

MTSU Provost Mark Byrnes(Photo: Submitted)

McPhee pledged that he would look for ways to offer more raises soon — through internal adjustments or added state funding. He said he had pressed state Sen. Bill Ketron, R-Murfreesboro, on the issue before.

Throughout the rest of the hour-long speech, McPhee lavished praise on several top university leaders and touted a series of high-profile academic developments, construction projects and fundraising numbers as signs that MTSU was a university on the rise.

"We simply do not have enough time to present all of the accolades and achievements that have occurred since last year," he said. Instead, he singled out examples of what he called the "remarkable work we are performing on this campus, for this city, for this county, for this region and for the state of Tennessee."

Among other things, McPhee touted the new fermentation sciences program; the establishment of a partnership with Meharry Medical College; and growth of first-time freshmen, transfers, and graduate student enrollment.

McPhee also announced Mark Byrnes, a longtime professor and administrator who had served as interim provost for more than a year, would be appointed as the university's permanent provost and chief academic officer.

Reach Adam Tamburin at 615-726-5986 and atamburin@tennessean.com. Follow him on Twitter @tamburintweets.